Eyjafjallajokull Summit Hiking Tour in South Iceland

Take on a guided hike to the summit of Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, one of Iceland's best-known glacier-covered volcanoes. With a guide and safety equipment, this tour suits hikers who want to reach an Icelandic summit.

Your hike begins at Seljavellir Farm in South Iceland, at the foot of Eyjafjallajokull Volcano and near Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool. Here, you meet your guide and the rest of the hiking group.

Before setting off, your group gets a safety briefing and the glacier gear you need, such as crampons, harnesses, and ropes, for a safe ascent once you reach the snowline.

Eyjafjallajokull Volcano is a 5,417-foot (1,651-meter) stratovolcano covered by a glacier. It gained worldwide attention in 2010, when its eruption disrupted air travel across Europe.

Today, it is a hiking destination with interesting geology, ice-covered ridges, and panoramic views from the summit, across terrain shaped by fire and ice.

The first part of the climb takes you through steep foothills, where the trail winds up rocky ridges and volcanic slopes. The first ascent is physically demanding, but your guide sets a steady pace so you can save energy for the glacier.

At 3,116 feet (950 meters) above sea level, you reach the glacier, where you rope up for safety and continue the climb across icy ridges and past deep crevasses.

In total, the climb to the summit involves about 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) of elevation gain. The hike is challenging, but no technical climbing skills are needed.

From the summit, you look into the crater that erupted in 2010. To the east is Myrdalsjokull Glacier, and to the south, the Atlantic Ocean and the Westman Islands stretch to the horizon.

After your time at the top, you descend the same way. The descent usually takes two to three hours, with views of the coastline and the surrounding glaciers.

Throughout the hike, your guide tells you about the geology and glacial formations of the region and about the eruption history of Eyjafjallajokull Volcano.

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